Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski
Teams Unite at Syracuse Football-Fort Drum Combine
6/1/2016 2:14:00 PM | Football
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Over the past several years, the Syracuse football program has developed a strong bond with the soldiers stationed at Fort Drum. That relationship took another step forward today, as the Orange hosted approximately 15 members of the 10th Mountain Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team at the 2016 Syracuse Football-Fort Drum Combine.
For the second year in a row, the soldiers broke from their daily routine and traveled the 65 miles from Fort Drum south to Syracuse to experience what it's like to train like a football player. Assistant AD for Athletic Performance Sean Edinger and his staff put the troops through a series of tests that are part of the annual NFL Scouting Combine. The soldiers competed in the 40-yard dash, broad jump, vertical jump, 5-10-5 shuttle and bench press while Orange players and staff recorded their results and provided encouragement.
Having spent portions of preseason camp at Fort Drum each year since 2012, and getting a glimpse into the daily life of a soldier, redshirt senior center Jason Emerich was happy to return the favor.
"These guys sacrifice so much. The little bit we can give back and show our appreciation means everything to us," Emerich said. "We've made a great connection the past couple of years we've been going up there and having them coming down here. It's nice that we have such a great bond with them and that we can have a little bit of an impact on their lives."
Maj. Brad Miller said while the conditioning and training emphasis for a Division I athlete is different than it is for active-duty military personnel, there are more similarities than one might think.
"You're talking about elite teams with a focus and a drive," Miller said. "Their focus might be slightly different than ours, but you're talking about two groups of people that have very specific mission sets and it's something not everyone can do."
The one drill that caught the soldiers by surprise was the 5-10-5 shuttle. The test requires participants to sprint five yards, stop, then sprint 10 yards back in the opposite direction, stop, and sprint five yards back to the middle. The abrupt changes in direction aren't something troops normally experience on their missions.
"That one takes a little bit of practice," Miller said.
Following the workout, the soldiers and student-athletes shared breakfast. During the meal, Miller presented Edinger with a brigade coin and a 10th Mountain Division flag as tokens of appreciation.
"I respect these guys so much and for them to have an opportunity to come out here and be around our guys, that mutual respect, that camaraderie, I just think is so special," Orange head coach Dino Babers said. "Especially for young people who have never been around it, I think it's something they'll cherish and remember forever."
Tuesday's combine was a small piece of the overall Syracuse Athletics Military Appreciation program, which includes a variety of military-themed recognitions throughout the year. One of the most recent program additions, is the 'Cuse for the Troops' ticket campaign. For $20, fans can sponsor a ticket to the Syracuse-North Carolina State football game on Nov. 12 and send a member of our armed forces to the game for free.
Click here or call the Carrier Dome Box Office at 888-DOMETIX to sponsor tickets for our servicemen and women today.
For complete coverage of Syracuse and Syracuse football, follow us on Facebook (Syracuse Orange & Syracuse Football), Twitter (@Cuse & @CuseFootball), Instagram (@Cusepics, @CuseFootball) and watch exclusive video content on Cuse TV.
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For the second year in a row, the soldiers broke from their daily routine and traveled the 65 miles from Fort Drum south to Syracuse to experience what it's like to train like a football player. Assistant AD for Athletic Performance Sean Edinger and his staff put the troops through a series of tests that are part of the annual NFL Scouting Combine. The soldiers competed in the 40-yard dash, broad jump, vertical jump, 5-10-5 shuttle and bench press while Orange players and staff recorded their results and provided encouragement.
Having spent portions of preseason camp at Fort Drum each year since 2012, and getting a glimpse into the daily life of a soldier, redshirt senior center Jason Emerich was happy to return the favor.
"These guys sacrifice so much. The little bit we can give back and show our appreciation means everything to us," Emerich said. "We've made a great connection the past couple of years we've been going up there and having them coming down here. It's nice that we have such a great bond with them and that we can have a little bit of an impact on their lives."
Maj. Brad Miller said while the conditioning and training emphasis for a Division I athlete is different than it is for active-duty military personnel, there are more similarities than one might think.
"You're talking about elite teams with a focus and a drive," Miller said. "Their focus might be slightly different than ours, but you're talking about two groups of people that have very specific mission sets and it's something not everyone can do."
The one drill that caught the soldiers by surprise was the 5-10-5 shuttle. The test requires participants to sprint five yards, stop, then sprint 10 yards back in the opposite direction, stop, and sprint five yards back to the middle. The abrupt changes in direction aren't something troops normally experience on their missions.
"That one takes a little bit of practice," Miller said.
Following the workout, the soldiers and student-athletes shared breakfast. During the meal, Miller presented Edinger with a brigade coin and a 10th Mountain Division flag as tokens of appreciation.
"I respect these guys so much and for them to have an opportunity to come out here and be around our guys, that mutual respect, that camaraderie, I just think is so special," Orange head coach Dino Babers said. "Especially for young people who have never been around it, I think it's something they'll cherish and remember forever."
Tuesday's combine was a small piece of the overall Syracuse Athletics Military Appreciation program, which includes a variety of military-themed recognitions throughout the year. One of the most recent program additions, is the 'Cuse for the Troops' ticket campaign. For $20, fans can sponsor a ticket to the Syracuse-North Carolina State football game on Nov. 12 and send a member of our armed forces to the game for free.
Click here or call the Carrier Dome Box Office at 888-DOMETIX to sponsor tickets for our servicemen and women today.
For complete coverage of Syracuse and Syracuse football, follow us on Facebook (Syracuse Orange & Syracuse Football), Twitter (@Cuse & @CuseFootball), Instagram (@Cusepics, @CuseFootball) and watch exclusive video content on Cuse TV.
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